Experience

Third Space Charity

• Canada
• Mental Health Care
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Director

  • Feb 2021 - Present

  I work with a small team of committed professionals who envision a community where mental wellness and mental health services are accessible to all. Through counselling, education and awareness programs, Third Space Charity works to build mental wellness and resiliency in young people throughout their educational experience, and into adulthood. I work with a small team of committed professionals who envision a community where mental wellness and mental health services are accessible to all. Through counselling, education and awareness programs, Third Space Charity works to build mental wellness and resiliency in young people throughout their educational experience, and into adulthood.



Supporting Survivors of Abuse and Brain Injury through Research (SOAR)

• Co-Founder and Executive Director

  • Oct 2016 - Present

  SOAR is a community-engaged, evidence-based non profit initiative that explores the incidence and effects of brain injury in survivors of intimate partner violence, educates members of the public and those who work with survivors, and works to empower survivors to receive the supports and services they need to move into healthier lives free of abuse. SOAR is a community-engaged, evidence-based non profit initiative that explores the incidence and effects of brain injury in survivors of intimate partner violence, educates members of the public and those who work with survivors, and works to empower survivors to receive the supports and services they need to move into healthier lives free of abuse.



Welcome Inn homeless shelter

• Client Support Worker and Temporary Acting Manager

  • Jan 2020 - Mar 2021

  I provided frontline support to individuals experiencing homelessness and residing at the Welcome Inn winter season emergency shelter, and supported the management team with leadership as needed. I provided frontline support to individuals experiencing homelessness and residing at the Welcome Inn winter season emergency shelter, and supported the management team with leadership as needed.



Kelowna Women's Shelter

• Canada
• Philanthropic Fundraising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Director

  • Mar 2014 - Sep 2019

  I worked with a volunteer board of directors and skilled team of staff to lead all aspects of Kelowna Women's Shelter, which supports women and children during and after abuse crisis, through transitional housing, support services and prevention education. Under my leadership we: .• Launched SOAR (Supporting Survivors of Abuse and Brain Injury through Research) community-based research initiative examining the intersection and effects of traumatic brain injury in survivors of intimate partner violence in collaboration with the University of British Columbia – Okanagan. • Successfully bid on opportunity to develop and operate two new housing projects for women fleeing violence in partnership with the government of British Columbia. • Took organization’s year-end financial position from $-25,000 in 2014 to $460,000 with an additional $2M in reserve by 2019. • Increased social enterprise Kelowna Women’s Shelter Thrift Store net profits to record-setting, sustainable annual levels. • Conceived and launched Thrift Store community voucher program which provided clients in need from more than 30 local agencies the opportunity to secure more than $10,000 worth of free items a year. • Conceived and launched employee wellness incentive and service recognition programs. • Secured private donor funding of $100,000 to replace fence and play structure. • Secured private donor funding of $80,000 per year for three years to support Inside Out Violence Prevention Program for Youth. Show less



Karen Mason Consulting

• Independent Public Relations and Communications Consultant

  • Oct 2012 - Mar 2014

  I provided writing, editing, public and media relations, project management, and strategic communications services to clients including Just Be Friends (in the role of director, PR and communication), Bounty Cellars Winery, Architecturally Distinct Solutions, and Troika Developments. I provided writing, editing, public and media relations, project management, and strategic communications services to clients including Just Be Friends (in the role of director, PR and communication), Bounty Cellars Winery, Architecturally Distinct Solutions, and Troika Developments.



Disney Online Studios Canada

• Corporate Communications/Parent Communications Manager

  • Oct 2005 - Nov 2012

  From its inception in 2005 until 2011, I conceived, executed and managed the public relations and communications strategy for Club Penguin, which went on to become the largest children's virtual world, and was purchased by The Walt Disney Company in 2007. Beginning in 2011, I managed Club Penguin's strategic communication with the global parent community, launching and maintaining a parent-focused social media program, and overseeing all other communication with parents, including a multi-language e-newsletter, the clubpenguin.com parent section, blogger and editorial outreach, promotional pieces and public events. Show less

• Independent Public Relations and Communications Professional

  • 2003 - 2011

  I provided project management, research, writing, editing, public and media relations and strategic communications services to a variety of clients. I provided project management, research, writing, editing, public and media relations and strategic communications services to a variety of clients.



ICBC

• China
• Banking

• Regional Marketing/Communication Coordinator

  • 2000 - 2003

  I was responsible for internal and external communications, marketing, event planning, media, stakeholder and public relations. I was responsible for internal and external communications, marketing, event planning, media, stakeholder and public relations.

• Freelance Journalist/PR Consultant

  • 1997 - 2000

  I worked as a writer, producer and host for clients such as CHBC Television, CBC Radio, the Capital News, Bridges.com, Okanagan Life Magazine and CFMT (multicultural television in Toronto). I also provided PR consulting services to Vancouver’s Bridge Communications I worked as a writer, producer and host for clients such as CHBC Television, CBC Radio, the Capital News, Bridges.com, Okanagan Life Magazine and CFMT (multicultural television in Toronto). I also provided PR consulting services to Vancouver’s Bridge Communications



CBC

• Guatemala
• Food and Beverage Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Journalist

  • 1990 - 1997

  I worked as a news reporter, producer, line-up editor and back-up anchor in Ottawa, Halifax and Vancouver. I worked as a news reporter, producer, line-up editor and back-up anchor in Ottawa, Halifax and Vancouver.